If I were governor, I'd ....

These are tough times, especially for Floridians: Economic downtimes hurt us disproportionately because speculative uptimes favor us wildly.

Thus far, the governor and legislature have been acting as though we can shrink ourselves into long-term expansion by slashing the state budget. But we need bold initiatives.

So, here are five things I would do if I were governor to get us permanently out of our doldrums:

; 1. End corporate welfare. The governor just returned from a European jaunt, ostensibly to bring businesses to Florida. No doubt, interested companies will demand cash (your tax dollars) and other incentives. It's supposed to be axiomatic that when and if businesses relocate, they will do wonders for the economy; but there's no proof that the state ever gets a return on its investment. We can't afford endless giveaways.

2. Decentralize public education. Frank Nero, CEO of Miami-Dade's Becon Council, has been quoted saying that our education system is the biggest obstacle to bringing high-paying jobs to the state. I say that the biggest obstacle to improving Florida's public schools is the state lLegislature. Elected officials tinker with curriculum and pass unfunded mandates.

In the future, the lLegislature should be limited to appropriating school funds; an independent state board of education should set achievement standards; and the school districts in Florida's 67 counties should develop programs to meet them, based upon the differing realities in their locale. Recently, the Broward County School Board set a great precedent, bucking Tallahassee by refusing to close a charter school "failing" by state standards.

3. Invest in public transportation. The governor and the lLegislature have appropriated tens of millions of dollars for ethanol and other alternative fuel research, but that will only increase our dependence upon cars. Florida needs high-speed rail north-south corridors on both coasts and east-west links connecting them. We need readily accessible urban/suburban transportation.

4. Limit and control growth. Tourists, sí; residents, no! Our economic woes are the direct result of overdevelopment. The more people who move to Florida, the more roads, schools, hospitals we need -- for which hardly anyone wants to pay.

&n bsp; 5. Create a statewide health insurance pool. The last time I suggested establishing a Florida nonprofit to serve as single payer, some readers wrongly accused me of advocating socialism. But I'm simply suggesting that every state resident pay into the pool, except the poor, who would be helped financially as they now are. The nonprofits would pay hospitals, doctors, and others as insurance companies and HMOs now do -- without diminishing services by taking a profit.

Do I think that the governor and the lLegislature will follow any or all of my suggestions or come up with others? Of course, not! This is Florida, where bold is never having to say "I'm sorry" for not being bold.